Tales of Discovery: 71 Years of Technology and Innovation

The Office of Naval Research (ONR) celebrates 71 years of innovation in 2017. For over seven decades, ONR through its commands—including ONR Global and the Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, D.C.—has been leading the discovery, development, and delivery of technology innovations for the Navy and Marine Corps.

It was in August 1946, just after the Second World War, that Congress mandated a new military command to identify and cultivate forward-looking science and technology capabilities, to ensure the superiority of U.S. warfighters. ONR’s establishment marked the first time a peacetime organization would use government funds to support civilian science and technology research at universities, laboratories and businesses.

Since that fateful year, the command, along with its Naval Research Enterprise partners, has played a leading role in many of the most important discoveries and inventions—from the earliest computer systems and software, to the exploration of the ocean’s depths, to new materials and sensors that have been integrated into everything from household items to warships.

A selection of some of ONR’s most notable innovations is presented here.